An investigation is under way after a farmer was mauled by pigs on his farm.

Terry Garner, 70, went out to feed his animals in Coos County, Oregon, but never returned home. A family member found the farmer's dentures and pieces of his body in the pig enclosure hours later. Most of his body had been consumed.

District attorney Paul Frasier said it is possible that Garner might have had an heart attack or a similar medical emergency, but they are also looking at the possibility that the 50-stone pigs might have knocked the farmer over.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Frasier told US media: "For all we know, it was a horrific accident, but it's so doggone weird that we have to look at all possibilities."

Garner's brother Michael spoke of how only last year, his brother was bitten by a large sow after Terry accidentally stepped on a piglet.

The farmer's remains will now be examined by a forensic anthropologist at the University of Oregon.